Tokyo Nikkei 225 closes up 0.81% at 37,934 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo, 26 Apr - Japanese shares closed higher amid strong Asian markets, rebounding from yesterday's losses and resuming the week's rally amid strong Asian markets.

The Nikkei index closed up 0.81% at 37,934 points.

Thew Bank of Japan today kept interest steady as widely expected as it met for the first time after a historic interest rate hike in March.

The central bank forecast softer growth for the Japanese economy and higher inflation in the coming years, sparking concerns over how much headroom it will have to raise interest rates further.

On the data front, in April, consumer prices in the Ku-area of Tokyo fell 0.1% from March, when they rose 0.3%, and increased 1.8% year on year, slowing from the 2.6% increase seen in the earlier month, according to data released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan.

The yen hit a fresh 34-year low after the Bank of Japan held interest rates steady.

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(RADIOCOR) 26-04-24 08:45:59 (0174) 5 NNNN